The COVID-19 Pirola variant poses a threat to Canada’s post-pandemic veil of safety, but the overall situation will likely not descend to the same levels as before.
In August, a new, heavily mutated COVID-19 variant was discovered. Officially named BA.2.86 and unofficially named Pirola, the variant has been responsible for an increase in COVID-19 presence in Canada, with over 30 mutations – a similar number as the fast-spreading Omicron variant of last year.
There has been a significant increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19, with the number of patients occupying hospital beds rising from 1,723 to 2,125 in the two weeks from Aug. 16th to Aug. 29th. This number has recently shown signs of plateauing, as it only rose from 2,125 to 2,165 from Aug. 30th to Sept. 5th. However, in an interview with CTV News Channel, Dr. Dina Kulik explained how returning to school and other indoor social events brings “the risk of getting COVID along with RSV and/or flu at the same time.”
No Brock student is keen to relive the nightmare that was mid- and post-pandemic university life, but no matter what happens, the worst is behind us. The world was blindsided by the sudden rise of COVID-19 in 2020 and had no time to prepare for a pandemic of such immense scope, but now we’ve had three years of experience.
Online learning has become integrated into many professors’ classes as a result of the pandemic, so if the situation becomes as dire as it did three years ago, teachers and students alike will have a far easier time transitioning to remote learning. The response will be far swifter than before, making it easier to contain the spread.
Many people can expect their immune systems to be less susceptible to the virus. As stated by Kelly Grant of The Globe and Mail: “The vast majority are safer from COVID today than in the early years of the pandemic, thanks to a combination of vaccine and infection-induced immunity.” Vaccines and booster shots are proven to be safe and effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death as a result of COVID-19 exposure.
Brock students can get vaccinated by booking an appointment with the local pharmacy. The University also saw plenty of visits from the Ontario government’s GO-VAXX mobile clinic last year, making the process even easier.
More importantly, though, the mindset around illness has changed in the last three years. Professors are a lot more accommodating when it comes to sickness, and it has become easier in many cases to catch up on missed work, especially in an online or hybrid classroom where meetings are recorded. Students can even come to class remotely now if they’re able, given the professor is accommodating to such situations.
Despite the safety nets now in place, students would be wise to remain cautious amidst these rising cases of the Pirola variant. If you’re sick or recovering from an illness, consider staying home or wearing a mask when you attend class. Above anything else, stay safe. Many students may prefer to leave COVID-19 behind and never think of it again, but unfortunately, that stance is not realistic. It is still around, and still in Canada. Keep an eye on the news, stay informed and keep yourself healthy.